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Rob Stephenson
Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

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Short Biography

Rob Stephenson, Ph.D., MSc, MA, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems, Population, and Leadership in the University of Michigan School of Nursing and the Director of the Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities. His research focuses on the intersection of violence, stigma, and HIV risk for sexual and gender minority groups.

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Original paper
Published: 31 July 2021 in AIDS and Behavior
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) affords an opportunity to significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection among male couples. We used cross-sectional dyadic data from 382 concordant-negative male couples to examine demographic and relationship characteristics associated with current PrEP use, willingness to use PrEP in the future, and perceived ability to adhere to PrEP using Actor–Partner Independence Models. Few partnered men reported currently using PrEP (16.4%) and 57.7% of non-users reported being unlikely to use PrEP in the future. Actor and partner perceptions of PrEP stigma significantly reduced PrEP use and perceptions of willingness to use PrEP or the ability to adhere to PrEP, while perceiving a higher prevalence of HIV among men was associated with significant increases in PrEP use, willingness and perceived ability to adhere. Perceptions that more friends would support PrEP use were also significantly associated with increases in willingness and perceived ability to adhere to PrEP. Dyadic interventions are needed to provide couples the skills to communicate about HIV risk and prevention, and address myths around the protective effect of relationships against HIV acquisition.

ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Tanaka M. D. Chavanduka; Stephen P. Sullivan; Jason W. Mitchell. Dyadic Influences on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use and Attitudes Among Male Couples. AIDS and Behavior 2021, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Tanaka M. D. Chavanduka, Stephen P. Sullivan, Jason W. Mitchell. Dyadic Influences on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use and Attitudes Among Male Couples. AIDS and Behavior. 2021; ():1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Tanaka M. D. Chavanduka; Stephen P. Sullivan; Jason W. Mitchell. 2021. "Dyadic Influences on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use and Attitudes Among Male Couples." AIDS and Behavior , no. : 1-14.

Research
Published: 28 July 2021 in BMC Public Health
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Background Brief behavioral interventions are seen as an efficient way to improve knowledge, change behavior, and reduce provider stigma regarding sexual health. When grounded in evidence-based behavioral change techniques and delivered using Brief Sexuality-related Communication (BSC) tools, brief behavioral interventions can address client-driven sexual health goals in a single session with their provider. Evidence for the efficacy of brief interventions for creating gains in sexual health comes largely from resource rich settings, and there is a lack of knowledge of how brief interventions can be implemented in the more resource constrained environments of low- and middle-income countries. As a first step in developing a brief intervention to address sexual health issues in Moldova, this paper reports on qualitative data collected from Moldovan providers to understand their attitudes, willingness and perceived barriers to the brief intervention and its implementation. Methods Thirty-nine in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted between February and March 2020, with health providers recruited from three primary health care institutions, two Youth Friendly Health Centers and counselors from three NGOs who work with key populations in Moldova, including health centers selected from two cites - the capital city, Chisinau and from the Comrat Region. The IDI addressed four domains of provider attitudes: 1) attitudes towards the intervention; 2) willingness and motivation to implement the intervention; 3) logistics of providing the intervention and 4) ability to implement the intervention. A coding analysis approach was applied to all interview transcripts. Results Providers largely reported being willing to be trained in and implement the brief intervention. Willingness to implement the intervention stemmed from two perceptions: that it would improve the ability of providers to talk with their clients about sex, and that vulnerable groups would benefit from these conversations. However, while there were generally positive attitudes towards the intervention, providers consistently reported structural barriers to their perceived ability to implement the intervention. Conclusions While providers reported high levels of initial acceptance of a brief behavioral intervention, care is needed to ensure that brief interventions, and the training of providers on brief interventions, incorporate cultural attitudes and norms around sex, particularly in highly patriarchal settings, and provide opportunities for providers to practice the intervention in ways that address their assumptions and implicit biases.

ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Galina Lesco; Viorel Babii; Andrei Luchian; Nataliia Bakunina; Ana Sofia De Vasconcelos; Karel Blondeel; Carlos F. Cáceres; Renée A. Pitter; Nicholas Metheny; Tamar Goldenberg; James Kiarie; Igor Toskin. Provider attitudes towards a brief behavioral intervention for sexual health in Moldova. BMC Public Health 2021, 21, 1 -11.

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Galina Lesco, Viorel Babii, Andrei Luchian, Nataliia Bakunina, Ana Sofia De Vasconcelos, Karel Blondeel, Carlos F. Cáceres, Renée A. Pitter, Nicholas Metheny, Tamar Goldenberg, James Kiarie, Igor Toskin. Provider attitudes towards a brief behavioral intervention for sexual health in Moldova. BMC Public Health. 2021; 21 (1):1-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Galina Lesco; Viorel Babii; Andrei Luchian; Nataliia Bakunina; Ana Sofia De Vasconcelos; Karel Blondeel; Carlos F. Cáceres; Renée A. Pitter; Nicholas Metheny; Tamar Goldenberg; James Kiarie; Igor Toskin. 2021. "Provider attitudes towards a brief behavioral intervention for sexual health in Moldova." BMC Public Health 21, no. 1: 1-11.

Journal article
Published: 05 July 2021 in Vaccines
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This paper presents data from an online sample of U.S gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), to explore the factors associated with three dimensions of vaccine beliefs: perception of the likelihood of a COVID-19 vaccine becoming available, perception of when a COVID-19 vaccine would become available, and the likelihood of taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Data are taken from the Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 study, collected from November 2020 to January 2021. A sample of 290 GBMSM is analyzed, modeling three binary outcomes: belief that there will be a COVID-19 vaccine, belief that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available in 6 months, and being very likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast to other studies, Black/African Americans and GBMSM living with HIV had higher levels of pandemic optimism and were more likely to be willing to accept a vaccine. Men who perceived a higher prevalence of COVID-19 among their friends and sex partners, and those who had reduced their sex partners, were more likely to be willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine. There remained a small percentage of participants (14%) who did not think the pandemic would end, that there would not be a vaccine and were unlikely to take a vaccine. To reach the levels of vaccination necessary to control the pandemic, it is imperative to understand the characteristics of those experiencing vaccine hesitancy and then tailor public health messages to their unique set of barriers and motivations.

ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Stephen Sullivan; Renee Pitter; Alexis Hunter; Tanaka Chavanduka. COVID-19 Pandemic Optimism and Vaccine Willingness among an Online Sample of US Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men. Vaccines 2021, 9, 745 .

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Stephen Sullivan, Renee Pitter, Alexis Hunter, Tanaka Chavanduka. COVID-19 Pandemic Optimism and Vaccine Willingness among an Online Sample of US Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men. Vaccines. 2021; 9 (7):745.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Stephen Sullivan; Renee Pitter; Alexis Hunter; Tanaka Chavanduka. 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic Optimism and Vaccine Willingness among an Online Sample of US Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men." Vaccines 9, no. 7: 745.

Preprint content
Published: 03 June 2021
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BACKGROUND Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender individuals are more heavily impacted by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Additionally, sexual and gender minorities who use substances are often at a further increased risk of HIV and other STIs. Increasing testing for HIV and other STIs allows for this hardly reached population allows for early intervention, prevention, and education. OBJECTIVE We explored HIV and STI testing patterns among 414 sexual and gender minority substance-using adolescents and young adults (AYAs) (aged 15-29). METHODS We fit multinomial logistic regression models to two categorical HIV and STI testing variables (lifetime, past 12-months) based on self-report of testing (never, STIs only, HIV only, or both). RESULTS Only 41% of the sample achieved the CDC recommendation of past-year HIV and STI testing. We observed HIV and STI testing disparities across sociodemographic (e.g., sexual identity, education, and income) and health correlates (e.g., substance use). Specifically, cisgender men who have sex with men were more likely to report testing compared to gender minority participants. CONCLUSIONS These results illustrate the need for HIV prevention interventions that leverage structural factors, psychosocial barriers, and substance-use as key drivers of achieving HIV and STI testing rates to meet CDC’s guidelines. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02945436; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02945436 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/resprot.9414

ACS Style

Jayelin Nicole Parker; Seul Ki Choi; Jose A. Bauermeister; Erin E. Bonar; Adam W. Carrico; Rob Stephenson. HIV and STI testing among substance-using sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults (Preprint). 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Jayelin Nicole Parker, Seul Ki Choi, Jose A. Bauermeister, Erin E. Bonar, Adam W. Carrico, Rob Stephenson. HIV and STI testing among substance-using sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults (Preprint). . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jayelin Nicole Parker; Seul Ki Choi; Jose A. Bauermeister; Erin E. Bonar; Adam W. Carrico; Rob Stephenson. 2021. "HIV and STI testing among substance-using sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults (Preprint)." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 03 June 2021 in JMIR Research Protocols
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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/21985.].

ACS Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan; Jennifer Taussig; Mariah Valentine-Graves; Nicole Luisi; Carlos Del Rio; Jodie L Guest; Jeb Jones; Greg Millett; Eli S Rosenberg; Rob Stephenson; Colleen Kelley. Correction: Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t). JMIR Research Protocols 2021, 10, e30020 .

AMA Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan, Jennifer Taussig, Mariah Valentine-Graves, Nicole Luisi, Carlos Del Rio, Jodie L Guest, Jeb Jones, Greg Millett, Eli S Rosenberg, Rob Stephenson, Colleen Kelley. Correction: Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t). JMIR Research Protocols. 2021; 10 (6):e30020.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan; Jennifer Taussig; Mariah Valentine-Graves; Nicole Luisi; Carlos Del Rio; Jodie L Guest; Jeb Jones; Greg Millett; Eli S Rosenberg; Rob Stephenson; Colleen Kelley. 2021. "Correction: Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t)." JMIR Research Protocols 10, no. 6: e30020.

Research article
Published: 13 May 2021 in The Journal of Sex Research
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Accurate, reliable self-reports of sexual behavior are a crucial component of valid HIV risk-estimation and behavioral intervention evaluation, yet this data’s reliability remains understudied. The goal of this study was to describe interpartner agreement on recent receptive anal intercourse (AI) and condomless receptive AI frequencies, among a sample of male couples. We quantified interpartner agreement on self-reported receptive AI and condomless receptive AI (absolute and relative to AI frequency), and position and condom use during a couple’s most recent AI, using cross-sectional data from male partners (US, 2016–2017; N = 718 individuals). Proportional and statistical agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), kappa (k)) were assessed. Observed agreement for receptive AI frequency was 49.44% (ICC (95% CI): 0.82(0.79, 0.84)) and for relative receptive frequency, 59.05% (ICC: 0.96 (0.85, 0.96). Agreement on condomless receptive AI was 90.21% (ICC: 0.78 (0.75, 0.82), and for relative condomless receptive AI, 91.15% (ICC: 0.80 (0.77, 0.83). Most recent AI position agreement was 89.42% (k (95% CI): 0.84 (0.80, 0.88)), and condom use, 98.89% (k: 0.82 (0.87, 0.98)). Observed agreement was higher among those who reported consistent positioning and condom use. Further research on self-reported sexual behavior data is needed to improve research validity and intervention effectiveness.

ACS Style

Alison R. Walsh; Stephen Sullivan; Rob Stephenson. Inter-partner Agreement of Condom Use and Sexual Positioning in Male Couples. The Journal of Sex Research 2021, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Alison R. Walsh, Stephen Sullivan, Rob Stephenson. Inter-partner Agreement of Condom Use and Sexual Positioning in Male Couples. The Journal of Sex Research. 2021; ():1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alison R. Walsh; Stephen Sullivan; Rob Stephenson. 2021. "Inter-partner Agreement of Condom Use and Sexual Positioning in Male Couples." The Journal of Sex Research , no. : 1-12.

Journal article
Published: 12 May 2021 in JMIR Research Protocols
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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/23819.].

ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Kieran Todd; Kristi E Gamarel; Erin E Bonar; Sarah Peitzmeier. Addendum to: Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations: Protocol for a Linear Three-Phase Study (Project Empower). JMIR Research Protocols 2021, 10, e28614 .

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Kieran Todd, Kristi E Gamarel, Erin E Bonar, Sarah Peitzmeier. Addendum to: Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations: Protocol for a Linear Three-Phase Study (Project Empower). JMIR Research Protocols. 2021; 10 (5):e28614.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Kieran Todd; Kristi E Gamarel; Erin E Bonar; Sarah Peitzmeier. 2021. "Addendum to: Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations: Protocol for a Linear Three-Phase Study (Project Empower)." JMIR Research Protocols 10, no. 5: e28614.

Research article
Published: 01 May 2021 in American Journal of Men's Health
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Little is known about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and control measures on gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) couples. The goal of this study was to investigate individual-level relationship satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 209 coupled GBMSM in the United States. We analyzed reported happiness and feelings about a relationship’s future and assessed the odds of changing relationship happiness and investment associated with pandemic-related life changes (pandemic-related employment change; COVID-19 illness; high-risk of severe illness), using logistic and multinomial logit models. Fifty-five percent of participants ( N = 114) reported that their relationship happiness had not changed during the pandemic, but 30% ( N = 62) reported increased relationship happiness. 25% ( N = 53) reported they had become more invested in their relationship’s future during the pandemic, and only one participant reported decreased investment. The odds of increased relationship investment was significantly associated with pandemic-related employment change (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19 [1.04, 4.61]) and increased sex during the pandemic (aOR: 4.38 [1.55, 12.41]). Those with a pandemic-related employment change also had significantly higher odds of increased relationship happiness than those without a change (aOR: 2.10 [1.01, 4.35]). COVID-19 cases that reported being at higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease had higher odds of decreased relationship happiness than high-risk non-cases (aOR: 6.58 [1.10, 39.39]). Additional research in this area is warranted to minimize the long-term impacts of the pandemic on coupled GBMSM.

ACS Style

Alison R. Walsh; Rob Stephenson. Positive and Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Relationship Satisfaction in Male Couples. American Journal of Men's Health 2021, 15, 1 .

AMA Style

Alison R. Walsh, Rob Stephenson. Positive and Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Relationship Satisfaction in Male Couples. American Journal of Men's Health. 2021; 15 (3):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alison R. Walsh; Rob Stephenson. 2021. "Positive and Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Relationship Satisfaction in Male Couples." American Journal of Men's Health 15, no. 3: 1.

Preprint content
Published: 28 April 2021
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UNSTRUCTURED In “Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t)” (JMIR Res Protoc 2021;10(2):e21985) the authors noted one error. In the originally published manuscript, one author was inadvertently not displayed in the authorship list. Author Jodie Guest was uploaded in the manuscript file, but inadvertently not entered in the online metadata.. Dr. Guest’s authorship has been recognized in the corrected manuscript. The correction will appear in the online version of the paper on the JMIR Publications website on April 28, 2021, together with the publication of this correction notice. Because this was made after submission to PubMed, PubMed Central, and other full-text repositories, the corrected article has also been resubmitted to those repositories.

ACS Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan; Jennifer Taussig; Mariah Valentine-Graves; Nicole Luisi; Carlos Del Rio; Jodie L Guest; Jeb Jones; Greg Millett; Eli S Rosenberg; Rob Stephenson; Colleen Kelley. Correction: Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t) (Preprint). 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan, Jennifer Taussig, Mariah Valentine-Graves, Nicole Luisi, Carlos Del Rio, Jodie L Guest, Jeb Jones, Greg Millett, Eli S Rosenberg, Rob Stephenson, Colleen Kelley. Correction: Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t) (Preprint). . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan; Jennifer Taussig; Mariah Valentine-Graves; Nicole Luisi; Carlos Del Rio; Jodie L Guest; Jeb Jones; Greg Millett; Eli S Rosenberg; Rob Stephenson; Colleen Kelley. 2021. "Correction: Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t) (Preprint)." , no. : 1.

Research article
Published: 18 April 2021 in Journal of Interpersonal Violence
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In addition to the growing morbidity and mortality related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (SAR-CoV-2) pandemic, social distancing measures during the pandemic may result in increased intimate partner violence (IPV). However, it is yet unknown if gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)’s IPV risk has increased during this time. This article describes and analyzes IPV experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of coupled-GBMSM in the United States. We hypothesized that pandemic-driven stressors would be associated with increased IPV prevalence and severity. A sample of 214 coupled men living in the US who had previously participated in HIV-related couple studies was surveyed in July-September 2020. Respondents reported demographic, sexual and substance use behaviors, and relationship characteristics. Surveys also collected data on pandemic-related life-changes (employment, substance use, COVID-19 illness). IPV victimization and perpetration were measured with the Gay and Bisexual Men Intimate Partner Violence scale and measured individually experienced or perpetrated violence, sexual, emotional, monitoring, or controlling behaviors, and if a given behavior was new and/or had changed in frequency during the pandemic. Reported prevalence and pandemic-related changes in victimization and perpetration were described. New or more frequent IPV victimization was modeled against employment, substance use changes, COVID-19 illness, and outside sexual partners (modified by a couple’s sexual agreement). IPV perpetration prevalence was 15.17%, 34.44% of which was new or more frequent. Victimization prevalence was 14.95%, of which 46.88% was new or more frequent. After adjustment, outside sexual partners were associated with IPV among those with nonmonogamous sexual agreements; each outside sexual partner increased the odds of new or more frequent victimization by 70% ( OR = 1.70; 95% CI [1.16, 2.51]). Given this study’s documented rise in IPV among a sample of coupled men, additional research into IPV predictors, interventions, and support strategies in GBMSM populations are warranted.

ACS Style

Alison R. Walsh; Stephen Sullivan; Rob Stephenson. Intimate Partner Violence Experiences During COVID-19 Among Male Couples. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Alison R. Walsh, Stephen Sullivan, Rob Stephenson. Intimate Partner Violence Experiences During COVID-19 Among Male Couples. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alison R. Walsh; Stephen Sullivan; Rob Stephenson. 2021. "Intimate Partner Violence Experiences During COVID-19 Among Male Couples." Journal of Interpersonal Violence , no. : 1.

Discussion
Published: 12 April 2021 in Nursing Outlook
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ACS Style

Wendy B. Bostwick; Julienne N. Rutherford; Crystal L. Patil; Robert J. Ploutz-Snyder; Joanne Spetz; Rob Stephenson; Olga Yakusheva. Envisioning a more expansive future for multidisciplinary nursing scholarship and education. Nursing Outlook 2021, 69, 507 -509.

AMA Style

Wendy B. Bostwick, Julienne N. Rutherford, Crystal L. Patil, Robert J. Ploutz-Snyder, Joanne Spetz, Rob Stephenson, Olga Yakusheva. Envisioning a more expansive future for multidisciplinary nursing scholarship and education. Nursing Outlook. 2021; 69 (4):507-509.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wendy B. Bostwick; Julienne N. Rutherford; Crystal L. Patil; Robert J. Ploutz-Snyder; Joanne Spetz; Rob Stephenson; Olga Yakusheva. 2021. "Envisioning a more expansive future for multidisciplinary nursing scholarship and education." Nursing Outlook 69, no. 4: 507-509.

Journal article
Published: 26 March 2021 in JMIR mHealth and uHealth
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ACS Style

Jodie L. Guest; Elizabeth Adam; Iaah L. Lucas; Cristian J. Chandler; Rebecca Filipowicz; Nicole Luisi; Laura Gravens; Kingsley Leung; Tanaka Chavanduka; Erin E. Bonar; Jose A. Bauermeister; Rob Stephenson; Patrick S. Sullivan. Methods in Authenticating Participants in Fully-online Youth Mobile Application Trials: Lessons from the iREACH Project (Preprint). JMIR mHealth and uHealth 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Jodie L. Guest, Elizabeth Adam, Iaah L. Lucas, Cristian J. Chandler, Rebecca Filipowicz, Nicole Luisi, Laura Gravens, Kingsley Leung, Tanaka Chavanduka, Erin E. Bonar, Jose A. Bauermeister, Rob Stephenson, Patrick S. Sullivan. Methods in Authenticating Participants in Fully-online Youth Mobile Application Trials: Lessons from the iREACH Project (Preprint). JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jodie L. Guest; Elizabeth Adam; Iaah L. Lucas; Cristian J. Chandler; Rebecca Filipowicz; Nicole Luisi; Laura Gravens; Kingsley Leung; Tanaka Chavanduka; Erin E. Bonar; Jose A. Bauermeister; Rob Stephenson; Patrick S. Sullivan. 2021. "Methods in Authenticating Participants in Fully-online Youth Mobile Application Trials: Lessons from the iREACH Project (Preprint)." JMIR mHealth and uHealth , no. : 1.

Preprint content
Published: 26 March 2021
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BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) applications are important interventions to increase the scale and reach of prevention services, including HIV testing and prevention counseling, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom distribution, and education, all of which are required to decrease incidence rates. The use of these apps online as well as fully online intervention trials can be challenged by the need to remove fraudulent or duplicative entries and authenticate unique trial participants prior to randomization to protect the integrity of the sample and trial results. It is critical to make sure data collected through this modality are valid and reliable. OBJECTIVE This manuscript discusses the electronic and manual authentication strategies for the iREACH randomized control trial (RCT) that were used to monitor and prevent fraudulent enrollment. METHODS iREACH is a RCT focused on same-sex-attracted, cis-gender males aged 13-18 years in the US with a focus on enrolling racial/ethnic minorities and those in rural communities. Evaluation of the data was done by identifying possible duplications in enrollment, identifying potentially fraudulent or ineligible participants through inconsistencies in registration and survey data, and by reviewing baseline completion times to avoid enrolling bots and those who did not complete the baseline survey. Electronic systems flagged questionable enrollment. Additional manual reviews included verification of age, IP addresses, email addresses, social media accounts, and completion times for surveys. RESULTS The strategies used identified and averted 624 cases of potential fraudulent, duplicative or ineligible enrollment using electronic and manual strategies including the integration of social media profiles. Seventy-nine percent of the potentially fraudulent or ineligible cases were identified through electronic strategies, thereby reducing the burden of manual authentication for the majority of cases. A case study is included with scenario, resolution, and authentication strategy response. CONCLUSIONS As online trials are more common, methods to handle suspicious enrollment that compromise data quality are increasingly important for inclusion in protocols. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/10174

ACS Style

Jodie L. Guest; Elizabeth Adam; Iaah L. Lucas; Cristian J. Chandler; Rebecca Filipowicz; Nicole Luisi; Laura Gravens; Kingsley Leung; Tanaka Chavanduka; Erin E. Bonar; Jose A. Bauermeister; Rob Stephenson; Patrick S. Sullivan. Methods in Authenticating Participants in Fully-online Youth Mobile Application Trials: Lessons from the iREACH Project (Preprint). 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Jodie L. Guest, Elizabeth Adam, Iaah L. Lucas, Cristian J. Chandler, Rebecca Filipowicz, Nicole Luisi, Laura Gravens, Kingsley Leung, Tanaka Chavanduka, Erin E. Bonar, Jose A. Bauermeister, Rob Stephenson, Patrick S. Sullivan. Methods in Authenticating Participants in Fully-online Youth Mobile Application Trials: Lessons from the iREACH Project (Preprint). . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jodie L. Guest; Elizabeth Adam; Iaah L. Lucas; Cristian J. Chandler; Rebecca Filipowicz; Nicole Luisi; Laura Gravens; Kingsley Leung; Tanaka Chavanduka; Erin E. Bonar; Jose A. Bauermeister; Rob Stephenson; Patrick S. Sullivan. 2021. "Methods in Authenticating Participants in Fully-online Youth Mobile Application Trials: Lessons from the iREACH Project (Preprint)." , no. : 1.

Review article
Published: 17 March 2021 in Journal of Interpersonal Violence
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There has been a growth in research illustrating that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates that are comparable to those among heterosexual women. However, the majority of research on IPV among same-sex male couples has focused on adults, and research on the experience of IPV among younger men (those aged under 18), remains at a nascent stage, despite knowledge that IPV is often common among younger men. This article adds to the growing body of literature on IPV among young GBMSM (YGBMSM) through of an analysis of qualitative data from in-depth interviews (IDI) with GBMSM aged 15–19 ( n = 30) in romantic relationships partnerships. The study sought to explore issues of relationship development, relationship contexts, and understandings of IPV. More than one-half of the sample reported experiencing some form of IPV in their current or past relationships. Participants described a range of experiences of IPV, including physical IPV, emotional IPV, sexual IPV, and controlling behaviors. Emotional IPV in the form of negative comments and controlling behaviors such as jealousy were the most commonly reported forms of violence behaviors. Although few participants reported experiencing physical or sexual IPV, several discussed concerns about giving, and partners’ acknowledging, sexual consent. Antecedents to IPV included wanting or feeling pressured to participate in normative development milestones, short-lived relationships, and societal stigma. Interventions that develop content on IPV and that reflect the lived realities of YGBMSM who are experiencing their first relationships are urgently needed. Study findings also support the need for training teachers, health care providers, and parents to identify signs of IPV and provide them with the knowledge and skills to talk to YGBMSM about relationships and violence to reduce IPV.

ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Lynae A. Darbes; Matthew T Rosso; Catherine Washington; Lisa Hightow-Weidman; Patrick Sullivan; Kristi E. Gamarel. Perceptions of Contexts of Intimate Partner Violence Among Young, Partnered Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Lynae A. Darbes, Matthew T Rosso, Catherine Washington, Lisa Hightow-Weidman, Patrick Sullivan, Kristi E. Gamarel. Perceptions of Contexts of Intimate Partner Violence Among Young, Partnered Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Lynae A. Darbes; Matthew T Rosso; Catherine Washington; Lisa Hightow-Weidman; Patrick Sullivan; Kristi E. Gamarel. 2021. "Perceptions of Contexts of Intimate Partner Violence Among Young, Partnered Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States." Journal of Interpersonal Violence , no. : 1.

Preprint content
Published: 08 March 2021
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ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Kieran Todd; Kristi E Gamarel; Erin E Bonar; Sarah Peitzmeier. Addendum to: Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations: Protocol for a Linear Three-Phase Study (Project Empower) (Preprint). 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Kieran Todd, Kristi E Gamarel, Erin E Bonar, Sarah Peitzmeier. Addendum to: Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations: Protocol for a Linear Three-Phase Study (Project Empower) (Preprint). . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Kieran Todd; Kristi E Gamarel; Erin E Bonar; Sarah Peitzmeier. 2021. "Addendum to: Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations: Protocol for a Linear Three-Phase Study (Project Empower) (Preprint)." , no. : 1.

Research article
Published: 06 March 2021 in Journal of Interpersonal Violence
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Stay at home orders–intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting social contact–have forced people to remain in their homes. The additional stressors created by the need to stay home and socially isolate may act as triggers to intimate partner violence (IPV). In this article, we present data from a recent online cross-sectional survey with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United States to illustrate changes in IPV risks that have occurred during the U.S. COVID-19 epidemic. The Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 survey was conducted online from April to May 2020. GBMSM were recruited through paid banner advertisements featured on social networking platforms, recruiting a sample size of 696 GBMSM. Analysis considers changes in victimization and perpetration of IPV during the 3 months prior to the survey (March-May 2020) that represents the first 3 months of lockdown during the COVID-19 epidemic. During the period March-May 2020, 12.6% of participants reported experiencing any IPV with higher rates of emotional IPV (10.3%) than sexual (2.2%) or physical (1.8%) IPV. Of those who reported IPV victimization during lockdown, for almost half this was their first time experience: 5.3% reported the IPV they experienced happened for the first time during the past 3 months (0.8% physical, 2.13% sexual, and 3.3% emotional). Reporting of perpetration of IPV during lockdown was lower: only 6% reported perpetrating any IPV, with perpetration rates of 1.5% for physical, 0.5% for sexual, and 5.3% for emotional IPV. Of those who reported perpetration of IPV during lockdown, very small percentages reported that this was the first time they had perpetrated IPV: 0.9% for any IPV (0.2% physical, 0.2% sexual, and 0.6% emotional). The results illustrate an increased need for IPV resources for GBMSM during these times of increased stress and uncertainty, and the need to find models of resource and service delivery that can work inside of social distancing guidelines while protecting the confidentiality and safety of those who are experiencing IPV.

ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Tanaka M.D. Chavanduka; Matthew T. Rosso; Stephen P. Sullivan; Renée A. Pitter; Alexis S. Hunter; Erin Rogers. COVID-19 and the Risk for Increased Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Tanaka M.D. Chavanduka, Matthew T. Rosso, Stephen P. Sullivan, Renée A. Pitter, Alexis S. Hunter, Erin Rogers. COVID-19 and the Risk for Increased Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Tanaka M.D. Chavanduka; Matthew T. Rosso; Stephen P. Sullivan; Renée A. Pitter; Alexis S. Hunter; Erin Rogers. 2021. "COVID-19 and the Risk for Increased Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States." Journal of Interpersonal Violence , no. : 1.

Original paper
Published: 25 February 2021 in AIDS and Behavior
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Engagement in HIV care and a high level of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence for people living with HIV is crucial to treatment success and can minimize the population burden of the disease. Despite this, there is a critical gap in HIV prevention science around the development of interventions for serodiscordant male couples. This paper reports on the results of a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of Stronger Together, a dyadic counseling intervention aimed at increasing engagement in and optimizing HIV care among serodiscordant male couples in Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL. Between 2014 and 2017, 159 male serodiscordant couples (total N = 318) in Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL were enrolled and equally randomized to either the Stronger Together intervention arm (a three-session dyadic intervention involving HIV testing and adherence counseling) or a standard of care (SOC) control arm. Couples completed individual study assessments via an audio computer assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) system at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Primary outcomes included being prescribed and currently taking ART, and fewer missed doses of ART in the past 30 days; because the trial was not powered to examine viral suppression, we examined this as an exploratory outcome. Longitudinal data analysis was by an intention-to-treat approach. Participants ages ranged from 18 to 69 (mean = 35.9), and are predominantly white (77.5%), and college educated (68.4% earned a college degree or higher). Participants randomized to the Stronger Together arm had a significantly greater odds of being prescribed and currently taking ART over time than those in the SOC arm (at 12 months OR 2.75, 95%CI 1.35–4.67, p-value 0.020, and at 18 months OR 2.91, 95%CI 1.61–4.88, p-value 0.013). Similarly, those in the Stronger Together arm had a significantly lower odds of missing a dose of ART in the past 30 days over time compared to those in the SOC arm (at 12 months OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.09–0.81, p-value 0.019, and at 18 months OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.07–0.82, p-value 0.023). Among male couples in serodiscordant relationships, the Stronger Together intervention resulted in significantly improved HIV treatment outcomes at both 12 and 18 months of follow-up. This trial is the first to date to demonstrate evidence of efficacy for a dyadic counseling intervention and has the potential to fill a critical gap in secondary HIV prevention interventions for serodiscordant male couples.

ACS Style

Rob Stephenson; Robert Garofalo; Patrick S. Sullivan; Marco A. Hidalgo; Angela R. Bazzi; Samuel Hoehnle; Anna Bratcher; Catherine A. Finneran; Matthew J. Mimiaga. Stronger Together: Results from a Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial of a Dyadic Intervention to Improve Engagement in HIV Care Among Serodiscordant Male Couples in Three US Cities. AIDS and Behavior 2021, 25, 2369 -2381.

AMA Style

Rob Stephenson, Robert Garofalo, Patrick S. Sullivan, Marco A. Hidalgo, Angela R. Bazzi, Samuel Hoehnle, Anna Bratcher, Catherine A. Finneran, Matthew J. Mimiaga. Stronger Together: Results from a Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial of a Dyadic Intervention to Improve Engagement in HIV Care Among Serodiscordant Male Couples in Three US Cities. AIDS and Behavior. 2021; 25 (8):2369-2381.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rob Stephenson; Robert Garofalo; Patrick S. Sullivan; Marco A. Hidalgo; Angela R. Bazzi; Samuel Hoehnle; Anna Bratcher; Catherine A. Finneran; Matthew J. Mimiaga. 2021. "Stronger Together: Results from a Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial of a Dyadic Intervention to Improve Engagement in HIV Care Among Serodiscordant Male Couples in Three US Cities." AIDS and Behavior 25, no. 8: 2369-2381.

Journal article
Published: 23 February 2021 in JMIR Research Protocols
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Background The US HIV epidemic is driven by infections in men who have sex with men and characterized by profound disparities in HIV prevalence and outcomes for Black Americans. Black men who have sex with men living with HIV are reported to have worse care outcomes than other men who have sex with men, but the reasons for these health inequities are not clear. We planned a prospective observational cohort study to help understand the reasons for worse HIV care outcomes for Black versus White men who have sex with men in Atlanta. Objective The aim of this study is to identify individual, dyadic, network, neighborhood, and structural factors that explain disparities in HIV viral suppression between Black and White men who have sex with men living with HIV in Atlanta. Methods Black and White men who have sex with men living with HIV were enrolled in a prospective cohort study with in-person visits and viral suppression assessments at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months; additional surveys of care and risk behaviors at 3, 6, and 18 months; analysis of care received outside the study through public health reporting; and qualitative interviews for participants who experienced sentinel health events (eg, loss of viral suppression) during the study. The study is based on the Bronfenbrenner socioecological theoretical model. Results Men who have sex with men (n=400) were enrolled between June 2016 and June 2017 in Atlanta. Follow-up was completed in June 2019; final study retention was 80% at 24 months. Conclusions Health disparities for Black men who have sex with men are hypothesized to be driven by structural racism and barriers to care. Observational studies are important to document and quantify the specific factors within the socioecological framework that account for disparities in viral suppression. In the meantime, it is also critical to push for steps to improve access to care, including Medicaid expansion in Southern states, such as Georgia, which have not yet moved to expand Medicaid. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/21985

ACS Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan; Jennifer Taussig; Mariah Valentine-Graves; Nicole Luisi; Carlos Del Rio; Jodie L Guest; Jeb Jones; Greg Millett; Eli S Rosenberg; Rob Stephenson; Colleen Kelley. Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t). JMIR Research Protocols 2021, 10, e21985 .

AMA Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan, Jennifer Taussig, Mariah Valentine-Graves, Nicole Luisi, Carlos Del Rio, Jodie L Guest, Jeb Jones, Greg Millett, Eli S Rosenberg, Rob Stephenson, Colleen Kelley. Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t). JMIR Research Protocols. 2021; 10 (2):e21985.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Patrick Sean Sullivan; Jennifer Taussig; Mariah Valentine-Graves; Nicole Luisi; Carlos Del Rio; Jodie L Guest; Jeb Jones; Greg Millett; Eli S Rosenberg; Rob Stephenson; Colleen Kelley. 2021. "Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t)." JMIR Research Protocols 10, no. 2: e21985.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2021 in JMIR Formative Research
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Background The high global prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with poor physical and mental health underscore the need for effective primary prevention. We previously developed Ghya Bharari Ekatra (GBE), a couples-based primary prevention intervention for IPV among newly married couples residing in slum communities in Pune, India. Objective Through this pilot study, we aimed to explore the acceptance, safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of GBE. Methods Between January and May 2018, we enrolled and assigned 20 couples to receive GBE plus information on IPV support services and 20 control couples to receive information on IPV support services alone. The GBE intervention was delivered over 6 weekly sessions to groups of 3 to 5 couples by lay peer educators in the communities in which the participants resided. Intervention components addressed relationship quality, resilience, communication and conflict negotiation, self-esteem, sexual communication and sexual health knowledge, and norms around IPV. Outcome evaluation included exit interviews with participants and peers to examine acceptance and feasibility challenges and baseline and 3-month follow-up interviews to examine change in IPV reporting and mental health (by women) and alcohol misuse (by men). The process evaluation examined dose delivered, dose received, fidelity, recruitment, participation rate, and context. Results Half (40/83) of the eligible couples approached agreed to participate in the GBE intervention. Retention rates were high (17/20, 85% across all 6 sessions), feedback from exit interviews suggested the content and delivery methods were very well received, and the community was highly supportive of the intervention. The principal feasibility challenge involved recruiting men with the lowest income who were dependent on daily wages. No safety concerns were reported by female participants over the course of the intervention or at the 3-month follow-up. There were no reported physical or sexual IPV events in either group, but there were fewer incidents of psychological abuse in GBE participants (3/17, 18%) versus control participants (4/16, 25%) at 3-month follow-up. There was also significant improvement in the overall mental health of female intervention participants and declines in the control participants (change in mean General Health Questionnaire-12 score: –0.13 in intervention vs 0.13 in controls; P=.10). Conclusions GBE has high acceptance, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy in preventing IPV and improving mental health among women. Next steps include refining the intervention content based on pilot findings and examining intervention efficacy through a large-scale randomized trial with longer follow-up. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03332134; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03332134. Clinical Trials Registry of India CTRI/2018/01/011596; http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=21443 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/11533

ACS Style

Ameeta Shivdas Kalokhe; Sandhya Iyer; Keshav Gadhe; Tuman Katendra; Ambika Kolhe; Girish Rahane; Rob Stephenson; Seema Sahay. A Couples-Based Intervention (Ghya Bharari Ekatra) for the Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence in India: Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study. JMIR Formative Research 2021, 5, e26130 .

AMA Style

Ameeta Shivdas Kalokhe, Sandhya Iyer, Keshav Gadhe, Tuman Katendra, Ambika Kolhe, Girish Rahane, Rob Stephenson, Seema Sahay. A Couples-Based Intervention (Ghya Bharari Ekatra) for the Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence in India: Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study. JMIR Formative Research. 2021; 5 (2):e26130.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ameeta Shivdas Kalokhe; Sandhya Iyer; Keshav Gadhe; Tuman Katendra; Ambika Kolhe; Girish Rahane; Rob Stephenson; Seema Sahay. 2021. "A Couples-Based Intervention (Ghya Bharari Ekatra) for the Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence in India: Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study." JMIR Formative Research 5, no. 2: e26130.

Article
Published: 28 January 2021 in AIDS and Behavior
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Partnered gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are less likely to engage in HIV and STI testing. We enrolled 51 male couples from a larger study of home HIV testing to test the feasibility of a dyadic home STI testing intervention delivered via telehealth, consisting of two telehealth sessions delivered via video-chat. In the first session, an interventionist demonstrated the specimen collection kits. In the second session, an interventionist delivered the STI results. Participants reported very high levels of acceptability of the intervention: 92% reported the telehealth calls quality as very good, 99% reported the sample collection instructions were clear, and 96% of respondents returned specimens for collection. 9% of participants tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, and all were linked to care. The intervention has the potential to surmount economic, physical and stigma-related barriers to attending clinics for STI testing, but these results need to be further tested in more diverse samples of male couples.

ACS Style

Stephen P. Sullivan; Patrick S. Sullivan; Rob Stephenson. Acceptability and Feasibility of a Telehealth Intervention for STI Testing Among Male Couples. AIDS and Behavior 2021, 1 -15.

AMA Style

Stephen P. Sullivan, Patrick S. Sullivan, Rob Stephenson. Acceptability and Feasibility of a Telehealth Intervention for STI Testing Among Male Couples. AIDS and Behavior. 2021; ():1-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stephen P. Sullivan; Patrick S. Sullivan; Rob Stephenson. 2021. "Acceptability and Feasibility of a Telehealth Intervention for STI Testing Among Male Couples." AIDS and Behavior , no. : 1-15.